Robb Ryerse
Pastor and nonprofit leader running for Congress in Arkansas's 3rd District. A former Republican who switched to the Democratic Party, he previously challenged incumbent Steve Womack in the 2018 Republican primary. He co-founded Vortex PAC with Dr. Chris Jones and worked with Vote Common Good to combat extremism. Ryerse has lived in Springdale for 20 years with his wife Vanessa and raised four children, and pastors Vintage Fellowship, a faith community that meets monthly.
Positions on Key Issues
| Issue | Stance | Confidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Supports lowering the cost of living for Arkansas families by easing everyday expenses, lowering housing costs, and expanding access to affordable healthcare. Advocates for better-paying jobs through workforce development and support for small businesses to help families build financial stability. | medium | No supporting sources |
| Climate/Energy | Supports transitioning Arkansas' 3rd District toward clean energy, reducing pollution, and protecting air and water quality for communities. | high | No supporting sources |
| Firearms & Second Amendment | Supports gun-safety laws to protect kids at school and reduce gun violence in communities. | high | No supporting sources |
| Immigration | Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, keeping families together, and has expressed support for abolishing ICE. He states that the immigration system is broken and has criticized current immigration enforcement for detaining people without criminal records. | high | |
| Education | Supports strengthening public schools and supporting teachers so that every child, regardless of ZIP code, has a real shot at success. | high | No supporting sources |
| Civil Rights & Equality | Supports civil rights protections, including protecting LGBTQ+ people, defending privacy, and ensuring equal treatment under the law for all Arkansans. | high | No supporting sources |
| Healthcare | Robb Ryerse supports making health care more accessible and affordable, with a focus on strengthening mental health care and veterans’ health services. He advocates for timely, reliable VA health care (including mental health and PTSD care) and expanding access to mental health resources in rural communities, so Arkansans don’t have to choose between care and their bills. | high | |
| Election Policy | Supports protecting democracy by ending gerrymandering and protecting voting rights; believes every eligible Arkansan should be able to vote freely and fairly. | medium | No supporting sources |
| Abortion & Reproductive Health | In 2018, Robb Ryerse held anti-abortion views. His current campaign website does not explicitly state a position on abortion or reproductive health, and his position is unclear given his party switch. | medium | |
| Foreign Policy | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Tech & AI | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
| Local Issues | No public position found after repeated research attempts. | low | No supporting sources |
Economy
mediumSupports lowering the cost of living for Arkansas families by easing everyday expenses, lowering housing costs, and expanding access to affordable healthcare. Advocates for better-paying jobs through workforce development and support for small businesses to help families build financial stability.
No supporting sources available
Climate/Energy
highSupports transitioning Arkansas' 3rd District toward clean energy, reducing pollution, and protecting air and water quality for communities.
No supporting sources available
Firearms & Second Amendment
highSupports gun-safety laws to protect kids at school and reduce gun violence in communities.
No supporting sources available
Immigration
highSupports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, keeping families together, and has expressed support for abolishing ICE. He states that the immigration system is broken and has criticized current immigration enforcement for detaining people without criminal records.
Education
highSupports strengthening public schools and supporting teachers so that every child, regardless of ZIP code, has a real shot at success.
No supporting sources available
Civil Rights & Equality
highSupports civil rights protections, including protecting LGBTQ+ people, defending privacy, and ensuring equal treatment under the law for all Arkansans.
No supporting sources available
Healthcare
highRobb Ryerse supports making health care more accessible and affordable, with a focus on strengthening mental health care and veterans’ health services. He advocates for timely, reliable VA health care (including mental health and PTSD care) and expanding access to mental health resources in rural communities, so Arkansans don’t have to choose between care and their bills.
Election Policy
mediumSupports protecting democracy by ending gerrymandering and protecting voting rights; believes every eligible Arkansan should be able to vote freely and fairly.
No supporting sources available
Abortion & Reproductive Health
mediumIn 2018, Robb Ryerse held anti-abortion views. His current campaign website does not explicitly state a position on abortion or reproductive health, and his position is unclear given his party switch.
Foreign Policy
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Tech & AI
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Local Issues
lowNo public position found after repeated research attempts.
No supporting sources available
Background
Career History
Faith community meeting monthly in Springdale, Arkansas.
Organization co-founded with Dr. Chris Jones, a former Arkansas gubernatorial candidate, to support good leaders and bring people together.
Worked to build cross-partisan coalitions and stand up to extremism.
Top Donors
Raised approximately $88,315 for the 2026 election cycle, primarily from individual contributions ($84,515). The campaign states it does not accept corporate PAC money.
Voting Record
Robb Ryerse has not held legislative office. He is a pastor and nonprofit leader who previously ran for Congress in 2018. His campaign emphasizes listening to constituents and not taking corporate PAC money.
About this research
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 6/26/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.